Builder mechanism



1963 G. c. ANDERSON EIAL 3,07

BUILDER MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 JfM Z Mlllllllllllll IUIHI 1963 G. c. ANDERSON ETAL 3,

BUILDER MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 8, 1963 s. c.ANDERSON ETAL 3,072,350

BUILDER MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1961 3 Sheet s-Sheet 3 United StatesPatent Ofihce 7 3,072,350 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 3,0723% BUILDERMEQHANESM Gordon C. Anderson, Clemson, 5.C., and Garfield B. lngraham,Falmouth, Maine, assiguors to Seen-Lowell Shops, Boston, Mass, acorporation of Maine Filed May 9, 1%1, Ser. No. ltlhfihi) 14 Claims.(Cl. 242-261) The present invention relates to improvements in a twisterframe having traversing elements mounted for vertical reciprocatorymovements for winding strand on a package, and more particularly to animproved builder motion for producing traversing movement of saidbraversing elements.

A builder motion suitable for use in a twister frame comprises normallya builder cam and follower means for imparting a reciprocatory movementto said traversing elements, a pick motion by means of which a steppedadvance or dislocation of said reciprocatory movement of the traversingelements for building the pack-age is effected, a Windlass shaftdisposed transversely of the machine, and tape connections therefromextending lengthwise of the machine by means of which the traversingelements are supported, and a compensating takeup device which acts onthe Windlass shaft to counterbalance the weight of the traversingelements transmitted to said shaft through said tape connections.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide for use ina twister frame an improved builder mechanism which is of simple,compact construction, and which will operate with a high degree ofaccuracy and efliciency.

More specifically it is an object of the invention to provide animproved pick motion having differential gears and a planetary controlgear by means of which oscillatory and stepped advancing movements areimparted to the builder shaft and traversing elements supported thereby.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel and improvedtorsion bair compensating tension device adapted for maintaining aconstant tension upon a member movable over a limited rangecorresponding with a substantial range of distortion of said bar.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improvedcompensating take-up mechanism for the builder motion which consistsbasically of a torsion rod of substantial length by means of which aneven compensating takeup pressure is applied against the Windlass shaftand which is of sufficient strength to overbalance the weight of thetraversing elements referred to, and which thus acts to maintain theentire builder system including the cam and follower elements in firmengagement with one another.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an automatic meansfor resetting the builder mechanism at the end of the package windingoperation when the packages are doifed from the twister frame and theelements of the builder mechanism including the traversing elementsreferred ,to are returned to the initial low starting position.

More specifically it is an object of the invention to provide means forreleasing and automatically returning the difierential pick motion ofthe illustrated construction to its initial starting position.

With these and other objects in view as may hereinafter appear theseveral features of the invention consist also in the devices,combinations and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed,which together with the advantages to be obtained hereby will be readilyunderstood by one skilled in the art from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat fragmentary View of the builder mechanism for atwister frame provided in accordance with the present invention lookingfrom the inside toward the end of the machine and showing particularlythe builder cam and follower mechanism, the pick motion, the Windlassshaft, and the compensating tension device;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the Windlass shaft, thetapes connected thereto, and the winddown mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. '3 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale of the pickmotion taken on a line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view looking from the left of substantially the parts shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on a line 55 of FIG. 3 to illustrateparticularly the pawl and ratchet and shieldmechanism of the pickmotion;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on a line 6-6 of FIG. 3 toshowparticularly the overrunning clutch interposed between the pick motionand Windlass shaft; and FIG 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic view on a smallscale illustrating the manner in which ring rail and associated partsare supported from the Windlass shaft by means of tapes.

The invention is herein disclosed as embodied in a twister frame whichmay be of ordinary description consisting of a long frame 20 including arail 22 which provides mountings for a series of rapidly rotatingspindles. Inasmuch as the spindles together with their drivingmechanisms are well known and more specifically no part of the presentinvention, no particular illustration or description thereof is includedherewith.

. support bars 28 on each of which are mounted a series of ballooncontrol rings '30, and a pair of thread guide supporting rails 32 oneach of which are mounted a series of thread guides 34. The ring rails24 are supported at intervals along their length by means of tapes 36which extend along the length of the machine and are provided atintervals with extension passing around idler pulleys 38. Each tape 36is secured at the base end to a pulley 40 formed integral with a sleeve41 which is fixed by means of a pin 42 to a Windlass shaft 44 whichextends transversely across the end of the machine.

The thread guide supporting rails 32 are mounted on tapes 46 each ofwhich extends along the length of the machine and is provided atintervals with extensions which pass around supporting rollers 48. Thetapes are secured at their base ends to nullevs 59 formed on the sleeves41 secured to the Windlass shaft 44.

The balloon control rails 28 are similarlv supported by tapes 52 whichextend alone the len th of the machine and are provided at intervalswith extensions which pass around supporting rollers 54. Said tapes 52are secured at their base ends to pullevs 56 fast on a sleeve 59 whichis normallv secured to turn with the Windlass shaft by a locking devicehereinafter to be described.

There is also connected with the Windlass shaft 44 a com ensatin tensionassem lv which acts to rotate the Windlass shaft 44 in a direction conter to the bias of the rin rail faves 36. and thread uide rail tapes46. Said com ensating tension assembly comprises a chain 66 which isconnected at its unner end to a pullev 62 formed on one of the Windlassshaft sleeves 41. The chain 6ft extends downwardly around a guide roller64 and is connected at its lower end to a cam member 66 which isadjustably mounted on a pivot pin 67 between a pair of arms 68, 70formed on a bracket 71 which is rotatably supported in a bearing member76 and is rigidly secured at one end to a torsion bar 72 to rotatetherewith about the torsion bar axis. The torsion bar 72 is placed undera twisting or torsion strain which serves to exert a downward bias onthe cam member 66 and chain 60 sufficient to slightly overbalance thebias of the tapes 36 and 52. In accordance with the invention, a torsionbar is utilized of substantial length which may be roughly equal to thefull length of the machine, for example, thirty or forty feet.

The cam contour of the cam member 66 is selected with relation to thecharacteristics of the torsion bar, the amount of the counter balancetorque, and chain let off to provide a variable effect lever arm lengthwhich will compensate at all times for variations in the torque exertedby the torsion bar to maintain a constant counterbalance during movementof the thread guiding instrumentalities from the bottom to the topposition, and during the corresponding untwisting movements of thetorsion bar 72.

While it is possible as above pointed out to plot a cam to maintain aconstant counterbalance with respect to any given set of conditions, itwill be understood that any change of said conditions such as would bebrought about, for example, by the installation of a new torque rod,will necessitate a new cam profile. This adjustment is made with thepresent construction by adjusting the angular position of the cam member66 about its pivot 67, which is accomplished by changing the setting ofa stop screw 80 an oscillatory and stepped advancing movement is im-,parted to the tapes and thread traversing elements actuated therebyincludes a builder cam 82 which is mounted on a continuously rotatingshaft 84, and a cooperating follower roll 86 carried on a cam followerlever 88 horizontally disposed beneath the cam 82. The follower lever 88is pivoted at 90 to a fixed portion of the machine and at its free endis slotted to receive pivot pin 92 which is adjustable thereinlengthwise at the lever 88. A link 94 and chain 96 connect the camfollower lever 88 with the input element of a differential pickmechanism by means of which the oscillatory movement of the builder camand follower assembly, modified to produce in addition thereto a smallstepped advance in the limits of said movements, are transmitted to theWindlass shaft 44, supporting tapes, and traversing elements for windinga package.

The differential pick mechanism of the present construction comprises aninput differential gear 98 mounted on a sleeve member 100 which is inturn freely rotatable V on an inner sleeve 102 carried on a core shaft104 of the pick assembly.

An output differential gear 106 carried on a sleeve member 108 freelyrotatable on the core shaft 104 is mounted in parallel relation to theinput differential gear 98. Both said gears are provided with internalgear teeth, the output gear 106 having one less tooth than the inputgear 98. A planet gear 110 is arranged to mesh continuously with bothsaid gears, being mounted to turn on a pivot 112 carried by an offsetframe 114 attached to the inner sleeve 102 above referred to.

The position of the planet gear 110 with relation to the inputdifferential gear 98 is controlled to impart an oscillatory movement tothe output differential gear 106, and in addition thereto, a steppedadvancing movement of the output differential gear 106 with relation tothe input differential gear 98 for each oscillation of the input gear 98through connections which include a ratchet wheel 116 secured to theinner sleeve 102 to turn as a unit with the planet gear supporting frame114. A pair of pawls 118, 120 mounted on a stationary pivot 122 arearranged when engaged with the ratchet wheel 116 to lock the ratchetwheel 116 and planet gear supporting frame against rotational movementwith the input differential gear 98 so that the planet gear 118 iscaused to rotate on its pivot to ad- 4 vance the output differentialgear 106 With relation to the input differential gear 98.

The operation of the pawls 118 and 120 is controlled by means of ashield 124 secured by means of a split clamp 126 to the supportingsleeve member for the input differential gear 98. The shield 124 is ofsubstantial size causing the pawls 118, to be held in a raisedinoperative position at all times during reciprocatory movement of theinput differential gear except for a small portion of said movement atone end of the stroke when the pawls are permitted to engage the ratchetwheel 116. With this arrangement the planet gear normally moves bodilyas a unit with the two input and output differential gears 98 and 106,operating as a locking device to oscillate said gears as a unit. Whenthe ratchet wheel 116 and planet gear supporting frame 114 are held bysaid engagement of said pawls 118, 120 therewith, the planet gear isrotated by the continued movement of the input differential gear 98 thusproducing a small increment of advancing movement of the outputdifferential gear 106 with relation to the input differential gear 98.

The pick mechanism above described is provided also with means forautomatically resetting the pick mechanism upon completion of thewinding operation as one step in conditioning the machine for thewinding of new packages thereon. To this end the output differentialgear 106 is connected by means of a one-way clutch to a driven memberwhich is in turn connected with the windlass shaft assembly abovedescribed. The clutch referred to is of the cylinder and wedge typecomprising a pair of clutch rolls 130 mounted in wedge-shaped recesses132 in the inner face of the sleeve hub of a driven member 134 looselymounted to turn on the sleeve hub 108 of the output differential gear106. The clutch rolls 130 are brought into wedging engagement with theinner and outer sleeves by the draw-off bias exerted on the drivenmember 134- in the wind up or winding element raising direction by thetake-up action of torsion bar 72 as hereinafter more fully pointed out.A chain is attached at one end to the periphery of the driven member 134and at its other end to a pulley 142 which is formed on one of saidsleeves 41 secured to the Windlass shaft 44 by means of a pin 42.

The arrangement of the pick mechanism, builder cam assembly, theWindlass shaft assembly, the compensating takeup mechanism and theseveral operating connections therebetween is such that theoverbalancing bias imparted by the torsion bar 72 acts normally to keepthe follower lever 88 and roll 86 in operative engagement with thebuilder cam 82, engages the overrunning clutch 130, 132 above described,and at the same time maintains a torque strain on the elements of thedifferential mechanism which is normally effective to prevent rotatingor Walking of the planet gear with relation to the input and outputdifferential gears during the reciprocatory movements of the inputdifferential gear 98.

A further element of the means for automatically resetting the pickmechanism comprises a coiled rewind torsion spring 144 which is wrappedaround and extends along the periphery of the input and outputdifferential gears 98 and 106 being secured at one end to a bracket 146on the input differential gear 98 and at its other end to a bracket 150on the driven member 134. The torsion spring 144 tends to rotate thedriven member 134 in the opposite a direction from the bias exerted bythe compensating torsion bar 72.

In the winding of a bank of packages on the machine the continuedoperation of the pick mechanism will cause the continuously oscillatingoutput differential gear 106 and driven member 134 to be gradually movedahead with relation to the continuously oscillating input differentialgear 98 in the same direction, as and under the influence of the biasexerted by the compensating torsion bar 72. This relative movement ofthe driven member 134 and input differential gear 98 winds the resettorsion spring which as above noted is of less strength than the biasexerted by the compensating torsion bar 72.

At the end of the winding operation the machine is conditioned for thewinding of a new set of spools. This operation includes the usualclotting of the loaded spools, and the winding down of the Windlassshaft assembly including the ring rails, the threaded guide supportingrails and the balloon control ring support bars preparatory for Windingthe new spools. The operating connections for effecting this windingdown operation of the Windlass shaft assembly include said sleeve member59 normally connected to the Windlass shaft 44 and a large gear 156formed on the sleeve member 59, which meshes with a small driving pinion158 on a hand crank shaft 160 adapted to be operated by a hand crank162. The sleeve member 59 is operatively connected to rotate theWindlass shaft by means of a cross pin 164 secured to a control rod 166mounted for longitudinal movement in an axial bore in the Windlass shaft44. The cross pin 164 extends outwardly through a slot 168 in theWindlass shaft 44 and at its outer end is normally engaged in alongitudinal slot 170 in the sleeve member 59 so that the sleeve member59 and Windlass shaft 44 are locked to turn as a unit. A compressionspring 175 surrounding the control rod 166 between shouldered portionsof the control rod and its supporting bore holds the rod and cross pin164 normally in locking position. Inward movement of the control rodcauses the cross pin 164 to engage in an annular groove 172 in thesleeve member 59 so that the sleeve 59 is free to turn on the Windlassshaft 44.

The operator using the hand crank 162 turns down the entire threadwinding assembly including the Windlass shaft 44, the connecting straps,the ring rails, the thread guide rails and the balloon control ringsupport bars against the pressure of the compensating torsion bar 72.When the low point is reached, a spring pressed detent plunger 176mounted in a recess 178 in the face of one of said sleeves 41 rides intoa cooperating recess 184) formed in an adjacent fixed surface ofthemachine to lock said thread winding assembly in the low position. Bydepressing the control rod 166 and thus forcing pin 164 out of slot 170into the annular recess 172, it is possible to rotate sleeve 59 relativeto the locked Windlass shaft 44. This permits further lowering of thecontrol rings relative to ring rails and thread guides to facilitatedofiing. The continued movement of the control rings and sleeve 59 ischecked by means of a stop device which comprises a chain 186 connectedat one end to a lug 183 on the sleeve 5h. The chain 186 passesdownwardly through an aperture in the machine frame and is provided atits lower end with a stop element 1% which is adjustably secured to thechain to be brought upwardly against the underside of the frame by saidcontinued movement of the sleeve 59. After dofiing, counter rotation ofthe sleeve 59 results in the pin 164 snapping back into the slot 170under the influence of spring 175, consequently locking sleeve 59 inrelation to sleeve 41 and the Windlass shaft 44. Said detent plunger 176is subsequently moved to inoperative position when it is desired tostart the new Winding operation by means of a manually operable releaseplunger 182 which is mounted in the recess 181i and is normally held ina retracted position by means of a coiled compression spring 184.

The operation of the means for automatically resetting the pickmechanism is as follows:

it will be understood that during the winding down operation, theWindlass shaft 44 is rotated in the reverse or clockwise direction asshown in FIG. 4, thus relieving the pressure normally exerted by thetorsion rod 72 upon ing down of the indlass shaft 44 until furthermovement of said driven member 134 is arrested by engagement of the stopbracket on the periphery of the driven member 134 with the cooperatingstop bracket 146 on the input differential gear 98.

The invention having been described what is claimed 1. In a twisterframe having traversing elements mounted for vertical reciprocatorymovement for winding strand on a package, builder mechanism forproducing traversing movement of said traversing elements comprisingmeans constructed and arranged to produce a predetermined pattern ofcyclical traversing movement of said traversing element, and a pickmechanism comprising a differential device connected between saidoscillato'ry builder motion producing means and said traversing elementsadapted for transmitting said pattern of movement and for advancing saidpattern to wind said package, including a rotary input element, aconnection from said cyclical traversing movement producing means forimparting rocking movement to said rotary input element, a rotary outputelement supported parallel to and adjacent said rotary input element, arotary control element providing a differential connection between saidrotary input and output elements for oscillating said output elementwith said input element and for each oscillation of said input elementin one direction imparting a stepped advancing movement to said rotaryoutput element with relation to said input element, connectionsincluding a clutching device between said rotary output element and saidtraversing elements, and means for controlling said clutch to maintain asolid connection between said rotary output element and said traversingmeans, and alternatively to permit a return movement of said traversingmeans relative to said rotary input element.

2. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocatory movement for winding strand on a package, a buildermechanism for producing traversing movements of said traversingelements, a builder cam and follower means constructed and arranged toproduce a predetermined pattern of cyclical traversing movement of saidtraversing elements, a pick mechanism which comprises a rotary inputelement, and a connection from said builder cam and follower means forcontinuously oscillating said rotary input element, a rotary outputelement, a control device connecting said output element to oscillatewith said input element and for a stepped advancing movement withrelation thereto, a one-way clutching device including a driven element,said device being connected between said output element and saidtraversing element, means for winding down said traversing elements, andmeans operable during said winding down for automatically turning saiddriven ele ment in the reverse direction.

7 3. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocatory movement for winding strand on a package, buildermechanism including means to produce an oscillatory builder motion, aWindlass shaft and connections therefrom supporting said traversingelements for oscillatory movements with said shaft, a pick motionconnected between said oscillatory motion producing means and saidWindlass shaft comprising a rotary input element connected to becontinuously oscil ated by said oscillatory builder mechanism, a rotaryoutput element, a control device connecting said output element tooscillate with said input element and for a stepped advancing movementwith relation thereto, input and output clutching elements having aone-way clutching engagement interposed between said rotary outputelement and said Windlass shaft providing a solid connection in responseto a bias of said Windlass shaft in said step advance direction, biasingmeans normally biasing said Windlass shaft in said step direction, and arewind device connected between said rotary input element and saidoutput clutching element acting when rendered operative to rotate saidoutput clutching element relative to said rotary input element in areverse rewind direction.

4. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocatory movement for winding strand on a package, and a buildermechanism for producing traversing movement of said traversing elementsincluding a reciprocating motion producing means, and means forsupporting and for transmitting said reciprocatory movements to saidtraversing elements the combination of a compensating tension deviceconnected to substantiaily offset the weight of said traversing elementscomprising a torsion bar of substantial length connected with said meansfor supporting and transmitting said reciprocatory movements to saidtraversing elements, an operating connection between said torsion barand said Windlass shaft including a lever arm attached to said torsionbar having an effective length variable to offset variations in torqueproduced by predetermined amounts of twist of said torsion bar, andmeans for changing said length variations in accordance with thecharacteristics of a particular torsion bar.

5. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocatory movement for Winding strand on a package, buildermechanism for producing traversing movement of said traversing elements,comprising a Windlass shaft extending longitudinally of said frame,tapes connecting said Windlass shaft with said traversing elements,builder cam and follower connections with said Windlass shaft forimparting oscillatory and stepped rotational movements to said Windlassshaft for building up said package, and a compensating tension deviceacting on said Windlass shaft against said tapes comprising a torsionbar of substantial length in the order of thirty or forty feet fixedlysecured at one end to said twister frame, a linkage connection betweenthe free end of said torsion bar and said Windlass shaft, and meansattaching said linkage connection to said torsion bar providing a leverarm having an effective length variable to offset variations in torqueproduced by predetermined amounts of twist of said torsion bar.

6. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocatory movement for winding strand on a package, buildermechanism for producing traversing movement of said traversing elements,comprising a Windlass shaft extending longitudinally of said frame,tapes connecting said Windlass shaft with said traversing elements,builder cam and follower connections with said Windlass shaft forimparting oscillatory and stepped rotational movements to said Windlassshaft for building up said package, and a compensating tension deviceacting on said Windlass shaft against said tapes comprising a torsionbar of substantial length in the order of thirty or forty feet fixedlysecured at one end to said twister frame, a cam shaped tension memberoffset from the free end of said torsion bar, and a flexible connectorconnected between said Windlass shaft and said tension member, saidtension member having a cam shaped contour over which said flexibleconnector is laid to vary the effective length of the tension member incompensation for variations in torque provided by the twist of saidtorsion bar.

7. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocatory movement for winding strand on a package, buildermechanism for producing traversing movement of said traversing elements,comprising a Windlass shaft extending longitudinally of said frame,tapes connecting said Windlass shaft with said traversing elements,builder cam and follower connections with said Windlass shaft forimparting oscillatory and stepped rotational movements to said Windlassshaft for building up said package, and a compensating tension deviceacting on said Windlass shaft against said tapes comprising a torsionbar fixedly secured at one end to said twister frame, a cam shapedtension member offset from the free end of said torsion bar, a flexibleconnector connected between said Windlass shaft and said tension member,said tension member having a contour over which said flexible connectoris laid cammed to provide a variable lever arm length in compensationfor variations in torque corresponding to the twist imposed upon saidtorsion bar, a pivotal support offset from the axis of said torsion baron which said tension member is mounted, and means for adjusting theangular relation of said tension member to said torsion bar.

8. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocatory movement for winding strand on a package, buildermechanism for producing traversing movement of said traversing elements,comprising differential means having a rotary input element, a rotaryoutput element and a rotary control element for advancing said outputelement relatively to said input element, means for rocking said rotaryinput element, means for rotating said control element to advance saidoutput element relatively to said input element during rocking movementthereof imposed by said input element, rotary traversing elementoperating means, a one way clutch means interposed between said rotaryoutput element and said rotary traversing element operating means,biasing means having active and inoperative positions, said biasingmeans acting in the said active position to maintain a solid connectionthrough said clutch means, means to render said biasing means inoperative and thereby to release said clutch means and means effectiveupon release of said clutch means to reset said builder mechanism byrotating said rotary traversing element operating means through anangular displacement equal and opposite to the relative displacement ofsaid input and output elements during advance thereof.

9. Builder mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means effectiveto reset said builder mechanism includes spring means interposed betweensaid rotary traversing element operating means and said input means tobe wound by advance of said output element relatively to said inputelement.

10. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocatory movement for winding strand on a package, buildermechanism for producing traversing movement of said traversing elements,comprising ditferential'means having a rotary input element, a rotaryoutput element and a rotary control element for advancing said outputelement relatively to said input element, said control element beingnormally operative to rock said output element as a unit with said inputelement, means for rocking said rotary input element, means for rotatingsaid control element to advance said output element relatively to saidinput element during rocking movement thereof imposed by said input element, rotary traversing element operating means, clutch means interposedbetween said rotary output element and said rotary traversing elementoperating means, spring means interposed between said rotary traversingelement operating means and said input means to be wound by advance ofsaid output element relatively to said input element, tensioning meansfor said rotary traversing element operating means effective to apply aforce thereto in opposition to and greater than the force appliedthereto by said spring means, and means for selectively reducing saidforce applied by said tensioning means to a value less than that appliedby said spring means effective to reset said builder mechanism uponrelease of said clutch means by permitting rotation of said rotarytraversing element operating means by said spring means through anangular displacement equal and opposite to the relative displacement ofsaid input and output elements during advance thereof.

11. Builder mechanism as claimed in claim 10 wherein said clutch meansis a single direction drive clutch locked upon advance of said outputelement relatively to said input element and released upon reduction ofsaid force applied by said tensioning means.

12. In a twister frame having traversing elements mounted for verticalreciprocating movement for winding strand on a package, buildermechanism for producing traversing movement of said traversing elements,comprising differential means having a rotary input element, a rotaryoutput element, and a rotary control element for advancing said outputelement relatively to said input element, means for rocking said rotaryinput element remote from said differential means including a pivotallymounted arm, cam means for rocking said arm and means connecting saidarm and said input element, means for rotating said control element toadvance said output element relatively to said input element duringrocking movement thereof imposed by said input element, rotarytraversing element operating means having means connecting saidtraversing element operating means to the traversing elements of saidframe, single direction drive clutch means interposed between saidrotary output element and said rotary traversing element operatingmeans, prestressed spring means surrounding said output element,interposed between said rotary traversing element operating means andsaid input means to be wound by advance of said output elementrelatively to said input element, tensioning means for said rotarytraversing element operating means etfective to apply a force thereto inopposition to and greater than the force applied thereto by said springmeans to maintain said cam means in operative relation with said arm andto lock said clutch means and means for selectively reducing said forceapplied by said tensioning means to a value less than that applied bysaid spring means effective to release said clutch and reset saidbuilder mechanism by permitting rotation of said rotary traversingelement operating means by said spring means through 7 an angulardisplacement equal and opposite to the relative displacement of saidinput and output elements during advance thereof.

13. A compensating tension device adapted for maintaining a tension ofsubstantially constant value against a movable member during a limitedrange of movement of said member, which comprises, a torsion bar ofsubstantial length in the order of thirty or forty feet having one endthereof fixedly secured, 'a tension member mounted on the free end ofsaid torsion bar, having a cam surface contoured in a plane transverseto the rotational axis of said torsion bar to provide a lever arm ofvariable length, and a flexible connector having one, end thereofwrapped around said contoured surface and having the other end thereofattached to said movable member, said cam contour being chosen to varythe effective lever arm length of said tension member inversely tovariations in torque produced in said torsion bar by angulardisplacement thereof.

14. A compensating tension device adapted for maintaining a tension ofsubstantially constant value against a movable member during a limitedrange of movement of said member, which comprises, a torsion bar havingone end thereof fixedly secured, a tension member mounted on the freeend of said torsion bar rotatably adjustable on an axis disposedlengthwise of the rotational axis of the torsion bar, said tensionmember having a cam surface contoured in a plane transverse to therotational axis of said torsion bar to provide an effective lever arm ofvariable length, a flexible connector having one end thereof wrappedaround said contoured cam surface and the other end thereof attached tosaid movable member, said cam contour being chosen to vary the effectivelever arm length of said tension member inversely to the variations intorque produced in said torsion bar by angular displacement thereof, andmeans for adjusting the angular position of said tension member on itsaxis and thereby to adjust the range of effective lever arm lengthproduced by said cam contour.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,982,487 Newton May 2, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 781,240 France Feb. 18,1935 907,155 Germany Mar. 22, 1954

1. IN A TWISTER FRAME HAVING TRAVERSING ELEMENTS MOUNTED FOR VERTICALRECIPROCATORY MOVEMENT FOR WINDING STRAND ON A PACKAGE, BUILDERMECHANISM FOR PRODUCING TRAVERSING MOVEMENT OF SAID TRAVERSING ELEMENTSCOMPRISING MEANS CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO PRODUCE A PREDETERMINEDPATTERN OF CYCLICAL TRAVERSING MOVEMENT OF SAID TRAVERSING ELEMENT, ANDA PICK MECHANISM COMPRISING A DIFFERENTIAL DEVICE CONNECTED BETWEEN SAIDOSCILLATORY BUILDER MOTION PRODUCING MEANS AND SAID TRAVERSING ELEMENTSADAPTED FOR TRANSMITTING SAID PATTERN OF MOVEMENT AND FOR ADVANCING SAIDPATTERN TO WIND SAID PACKAGE, INCLUDING A ROTARY INPUT ELEMENT, ACONNECTION FROM SAID CYCLICAL TRAVERSING MOVEMENT PRODUCING MEANS FORIMPARTING ROCKING MOVEMENT TO SAID ROTARY INPUT ELEMENT, A ROTARY OUTPUTELEMENT SUPPORTED PARALLEL TO AND ADJACENT SAID ROTARY INPUT ELEMENT, AROTARY CONTROL ELEMENT PROVIDING A DIFFERENTIAL CONNECTION BETWEEN SAIDROTARY INPUT AND OUTPUT ELEMENTS FOR OSCILLATING SAID OUTPUT ELEMENTWITH SAID INPUT ELEMENT AND FOR EACH OSCILLATION OF SAID INPUT ELEMENTIN ONE DIRECTION IMPARTING A STEPPED ADVANCING MOVEMENT TO SAID ROTARYOUTPUT ELEMENT WITH RELATION TO SAID INPUT ELEMENT, CONNECTIONSINCLUDING A CLUTCHING DEVICE BETWEEN SAID ROTARY OUTPUT ELEMENT AND SAIDTRAVERSING ELEMENTS, AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID CLUTCH TO MAINTAIN ASOLID CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID ROTARY OUTPUT ELEMENT AND SAID TRAVERSINGMEANS, AND ALTERNATIVELY TO PERMIT A RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID TRAVERSINGMEANS RELATIVE TO SAID ROTARY INPUT ELEMENT.